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Abstract:

A double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus having two liquid lens
structures is provided. A driving voltage of each liquid crystal lens
structure is controlled by an active device disposed thereon. When an
incident light is passing through the liquid crystal lens structures, the
optical path difference of the incident light is compensated by the
liquid crystal lens structures, so that the double-layer liquid crystal
lens apparatus performs the focusing function well without using a
polarizer. Applying a suitable driving voltage on each of the active
devices, the double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus has a function of
modulating focal length focusing/diverging the light, like a convex lens
or a concave lens.

Claims:

1. A double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus, comprising: a first
electrode device comprising a first substrate, at least a first active
device, a first electrode, and a first alignment layer, the first active
device, the first electrode, and the first alignment layer are disposed
on the first substrate, the first active device is electrically connected
to the first electrode, and the first electrode has a first opening; a
second electrode device comprising a second substrate, at least a second
active device, a second electrode, and a second alignment layer, the
second active device, the second electrode, and the second alignment
layer are disposed on the second substrate, the second active device is
electrically connected to the second electrode, and the second electrode
has a second opening corresponding to the first opening; a third
electrode device disposed between the first electrode device and the
second electrode device, the third electrode device comprising a third
substrate, a common electrode, a third alignment layer, and a fourth
alignment layer, the common electrode, the third alignment layer, and the
fourth alignment layer are disposed on the third substrate, the third
alignment layer and the fourth alignment layer are respectively disposed
on different sides of the third substrate, and the common electrode is
disposed between the third alignment layer and the third substrate; and
two liquid crystal layers respectively disposed between the first
electrode device and the third electrode device and between the second
electrode device and the third electrode device, the first alignment
layer and the third alignment layer aligning one of the liquid crystal
layers, and the second alignment layer and the fourth alignment layer
aligning another one of the liquid crystal layers.

2. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
1, wherein the first active device comprises a gate, an active layer, a
source, and a drain, the drain is electrically connected to the first
electrode, and when the gate is driven, the source and the drain are
electrically connected to each other through the active layer.

3. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
1, wherein the second active device comprises a gate, an active layer, a
source, and a drain, the drain is electrically connected to the second
electrode, and when the gate is driven, the source and the drain are
electrically connected to each other through the active layer.

4. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
1, wherein an electric potential of the first electrode and an electric
potential of the second electrode are the same, and the electric
potentials of the first electrode and the second electrode are different
from an electric potential of the common electrode.

5. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
1, wherein an electric potential of the first electrode is different from
an electric potential of the second electrode, and the electric
potentials of the first electrode and the second electrode are different
from the electric potential of the common electrode.

6. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
1, wherein when the at least a first active device and the at least a
second active device are respectively a plurality of first active devices
and a plurality of second active devices, the double-layer liquid crystal
lens apparatus further comprises at least a first ring-shaped electrode
and at least a second ring-shaped electrode, the first ring-shaped
electrode is disposed inside the first opening, the first active devices
are respectively electrically connected to the first electrode and the
first ring-shaped electrode, the second ring-shaped electrode is disposed
inside the second opening, and the second active devices are respectively
electrically connected to the second electrode and the second ring-shaped
electrode.

7. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
6, wherein each of the first active devices comprises a gate, an active
layer, a source, and a drain, the drain of each of the first active
devices is respectively electrically connected to the first electrode and
the first ring-shaped electrode, and when the gate is driven, the source
and the drain are electrically connected to each other through the active
layer.

8. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
6, wherein each of the second active devices comprises a gate, an active
layer, a source, and a drain, the drain of each of the second active
devices is respectively electrically connected to the second electrode
and the second ring-shaped electrode, and when the gate is driven, the
source and the drain are electrically connected to each other through the
active layer.

9. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
6, wherein the at least a first ring-shaped electrode disposed inside the
first opening is arranged as concentric circles, and the at least a
second ring-shaped electrode disposed inside the second opening is
arranged as concentric circles.

10. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
6, wherein at least a portion of the electric potentials of the first
electrode and the at least a first ring-shaped electrode is the same.

11. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
6, wherein the electric potentials of the first electrode and the at
least a first ring-shaped electrode are different.

12. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
6, wherein at least a portion of the electric potentials of the second
electrode and the at least a second ring-shaped electrode is the same.

13. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
6, wherein the electric potentials of the second electrode and the at
least a second ring-shaped electrode are different.

14. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
1, wherein an alignment direction of the first alignment layer is
parallel and opposite to an alignment direction of the third alignment
layer, an alignment direction of the second alignment layer is parallel
and opposite to an alignment direction of the fourth alignment layer, and
the alignment direction of the first alignment layer is perpendicular to
the alignment direction of the second alignment layer.

15. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
1, wherein the first electrode is disposed on a side of the first
substrate, and the first alignment layer is disposed on another side of
the first substrate.

16. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
1, wherein the first electrode and the first alignment layer are disposed
on a same side of the first substrate, and the first electrode is
disposed between the first alignment layer and the first substrate.

17. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
1, wherein the second electrode is disposed on a side of the second
substrate, and the second alignment layer is disposed on another side of
the second substrate.

18. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
1, wherein the second electrode and the second alignment layer are
disposed on a same side of the second substrate, and the second electrode
is disposed between the second alignment layer and the second substrate.

19. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
1, wherein the first electrode device, the second electrode device, and
the third electrode device share a same driving power source or
respectively employs a different driving power source.

20. The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus as claimed as in claim
1, further comprising a plurality of sealants respectively disposed
between the first electrode device and the third electrode device, and
between the second electrode device and the third electrode device, so as
to respectively maintain a first containing space between the first
electrode device and the third electrode device, and maintain a second
containing space between the second electrode device and the third
electrode device, wherein the liquid crystal layers are respectively
disposed inside the first containing space and the second containing
space.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application
serial no. 99109060, filed on Mar. 26, 2010. The entirety of the
above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference
herein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates generally to a liquid crystal lens that is
capable of adjusting a liquid crystal lens quality, being controlled by
thin film transistors (TFTs), and having a high transmittance, and more
particularly, to a double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Over the years, a number of publications have disclosed techniques
relating to liquid crystal optical devices which employ liquid crystal
materials having special optical characteristics with adjustable
refractive indices when external voltages are applied thereto, so as to
alter a focal length of a lens for applications in various fields. The
concept of using liquid crystals to fabricate refractive optical devices
is first disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,334, which describes applying
an external voltage to adjust a rotational direction of the liquid
crystal molecules so as to vary a refractive index, and thereby causing
an incident beam to be deflected in a liquid crystal material.
Afterwards, there have been many publications which describe liquid
crystal optical devices utilizing the adjustable characteristics of the
liquid crystals. For example, in an electrode design according to U.S.
Pat. No. 6,577,376 for driving liquid crystals, diffraction zone plates
designed as concentric circles are used to form a diffractive liquid
crystal device, so as to generate a first-order diffraction beam and a
zero-order non-diffractive beam for an incident beam of a predetermined
polarization direction. The device is complemented with a focusing lens
to generate two focus points of different positions, for application in
an optical pickup head to read/write multi-layered data, as well as for
application in an aberration correction unit.

[0006] Moreover, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,500, the driving electrodes of a
liquid crystal device are cyclic ring-shaped structures designed as
concentric circles. Each of the ring-shaped electrodes is driven with
different high and low voltages for continuous voltage drops, so that the
refractive indices of the liquid crystal molecules when the electrodes
are operating are continuously distributed. Accordingly, by phase
adjusting the optical path differences to form structures such as a
Fresnel lens, the device can be applied in the aberration correction of
the optical pickup head focus points. Further, as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 7,262,820, an electrode design therein has two matching upper and
lower semi-circular regions, for application in the aberration correction
of the optical pickup head, and especially for correcting coma aberration
due to tilt.

[0007] In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,864,951 describes combining the use of
an inhomogeneous polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) combined with an
ultraviolent (UV) light radiation, so that the liquid crystal molecules
form droplets of uneven size, and an optical focusing property can be
continuously modulated by changing an externally applied voltage.
Further, as disclosed in an international scientific journal APPLIED
OPTICS (Vol. 43, No. 35, p. 6407, December, 2004), the electrodes are
configured on another side of a glass that is far thicker than a liquid
crystal medium layer. By applying a substantially higher voltage, after
an electric potential distributes and passes through the glass, the
electric potential has a distribution of continuous curved surfaces,
thereby resulting in a continuous liquid crystal refractive index
distribution analogous to a lens having a continuous phase distribution,
along with a superior focusing property and a simple device structure.
However, a driving voltage required is as high as 100 V, far more than
the driving voltage of about 5 V for a typical liquid crystal device.

[0008] The aforementioned conventional liquid crystal optical devices such
as those disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,577,376 and 6,690,500 adopt
strip-shape or Fresnel lens diffractive device designs. However, due to
the diffraction orders generated through diffraction, an overall usable
efficiency of a light beam is lowered. On the other hand, because of the
restrictive complexities in an UV light exposure process, for the
disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,864,951 adopting the PDLC structure, a
plurality of restrictions are placed on the medium layer due to factors
such as a low transmittance from dispersive effects and a high driving
voltage requirement. Most importantly, because of a birefringence
property of liquid crystals, the adjustable optical characteristic
thereof is applicable only for incident beams of a predetermined
polarization, and thus its range of applications is somewhat limited. The
aforementioned conventional techniques are applicable only in optical
systems using a laser light source or those including a polarizer and an
analyzer, since these techniques cannot be effectively employed for
imaging systems adopting a typical light source.

[0009] Moreover, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,859,333, a liquid crystal
lens adopting a double-layer liquid crystal layer structure attempts to
solve an issue of polarization selectivity of the liquid crystal device.
However, the disclosed invention adopts a spherical electrode substrate
along with an evenly distributed liquid crystal medium, wherein an
adjustable focal length is achieved by applying a voltage to drive the
liquid crystals so as to compensate for a fixed curvature of the
spherical electrode. The fabrication of the spherical electrode is a main
difficulty for this disclosed invention. Furthermore, in a disclosure
published in an international scientific journal OPTICS EXPRESS (Vol. 15,
No. 6, p. 2900, March, 2007), a photo-alignment method is employed to
realize a liquid crystal lens that is independent of light polarization
directions. However, the liquid crystal lens has a complicated
fabrication process, which remains an important factor to consider.

[0011] An aspect of the invention provides a double-layer liquid crystal
lens apparatus including a first electrode device, a second electrode
device, a third electrode device, and two liquid crystal layers. The
first electrode device includes a first substrate, at least a first
active device, a first electrode, and a first alignment layer. The first
active device, the first electrode, and the first alignment layer are
disposed on the first substrate. The first active device is electrically
connected to the first electrode, and the first electrode has a first
opening. The second electrode device includes a second substrate, at
least a second active device, a second electrode, and a second alignment
layer. The second active device, the second electrode, and the second
alignment layer are disposed on the second substrate. The second active
device is electrically connected to the second electrode, and the second
electrode has a second opening corresponding to the first opening. The
third electrode device is disposed between the first electrode device and
the second electrode device. The third electrode device includes a third
substrate, a common electrode, a third alignment layer, and a fourth
alignment layer. The common electrode, the third alignment layer, and the
fourth alignment layer are disposed on the third substrate. The third
alignment layer and the fourth alignment layer are respectively disposed
on different sides of the third substrate, whereas the common electrode
is disposed between the third alignment layer and the third substrate.
The two liquid crystal layers are respectively disposed between the first
electrode device and the third electrode device, and between the second
electrode device and the third electrode device. The first alignment
layer and the third alignment layer align one of the liquid crystal
layers, whereas the second alignment layer and the fourth alignment layer
align another one of the liquid crystal layers.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first active
device includes a gate, an active layer, a source, and a drain. The drain
is electrically connected to the first electrode, and when the gate is
driven, the source and the drain are electrically connected to each other
through the active layer. According to an embodiment of the invention,
the second active device includes a gate, an active layer, a source, and
a drain. The drain is electrically connected to the second electrode, and
when the gate is driven, the source and the drain are electrically
connected to each other through the active layer.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention, an electric potential
of the first electrode and an electric potential of the second electrode
are the same, whereas the electric potentials of the first electrode and
the second electrode are different from an electric potential of the
common electrode. According to another embodiment of the invention, the
electric potential of the first electrode and is different from the
electric potential of the second electrode, and the electric potentials
of the first electrode and the second electrode are different from the
electric potential of the common electrode.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, when the at least
a first active device and the at least a second active device are
respectively a plurality of first active devices and a plurality of
second active devices, the double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus
further includes at least a first ring-shaped electrode and at least a
second ring-shaped electrode. The first ring-shaped electrode is disposed
inside the first opening, and the first active devices are respectively
electrically connected to the first electrode and the first ring-shaped
electrode. The second ring-shaped electrode is disposed inside the second
opening, and the second active devices are respectively electrically
connected to the second electrode and the second ring-shaped electrode.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the first
active devices includes a gate, an active layer, a source, and a drain.
The drain of each of the first active devices is electrically connected
to the first electrode and the first ring-shaped electrode, and when the
gate is driven, the source and the drain are electrically connected to
each other through the active layer.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the second
active devices includes a gate, an active layer, a source, and a drain.
The drain of each of the second active devices is electrically connected
to the second electrode and the second ring-shaped electrode, and when
the gate is driven, the source and the drain are electrically connected
to each other through the active layer.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least a first
ring-shaped electrode disposed inside the first opening is arranged as
concentric circles, and the at least a second ring-shaped electrode
disposed inside the second opening is arranged as concentric circles.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of
the electric potentials of the first electrode and the at least a first
ring-shaped electrode is the same.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the invention, the electric
potentials of the first electrode and the at least a first ring-shaped
electrode are different.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of
the electric potentials of the second electrode and the at least a second
ring-shaped electrode is the same.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the invention, the electric
potentials of the second electrode and the at least a second ring-shaped
electrode are different.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention, an alignment direction
of the first alignment layer is parallel and opposite to an alignment
direction of the third alignment layer, an alignment direction of the
second alignment layer is parallel and opposite to an alignment direction
of the fourth alignment layer, and the alignment direction of the first
alignment layer is perpendicular to the alignment direction of the second
alignment layer.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first electrode is
disposed on a side of the first substrate, whereas the first alignment
layer is disposed on another side of the first substrate.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first electrode
and the first alignment layer are disposed on a same side of the first
substrate, and the first electrode is disposed between the first
alignment layer and the first substrate.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the invention, the second electrode
is disposed on a side of the second substrate, whereas the second
alignment layer is disposed on another side of the second substrate.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention, the second electrode
and the second alignment layer are disposed on a same side of the second
substrate, and the second electrode is disposed between the second
alignment layer and the second substrate.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first electrode
device, the second electrode device, and the third electrode device share
a same driving power source or respectively employs a different driving
power source.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the invention, the double-layer
liquid crystal lens apparatus further includes a plurality of sealants
respectively disposed between the first electrode device and the third
electrode device, and between the second electrode device and the third
electrode device, so as to respectively maintain a first containing space
between the first electrode device and the third electrode device, and
maintain a second containing space between the second electrode device
and the third electrode device, The liquid crystal layers are
respectively disposed inside the first containing space and the second
containing space.

[0029] In summary, by employing the first electrode device, the second
electrode device, and the third electrode device to form a double-layer
liquid crystal lens structure, and suitably controlling a voltage applied
on the liquid crystal lens, the double-layer liquid crystal apparatus
according to embodiments of the invention has a preferable focal length
modulating ability and a condition of double focus points does not easily
occur. Moreover, since the double-layer liquid crystal apparatus controls
the refractive index of the double-layer liquid crystal lens by using
active devices (e.g., TFTs), the overall size of the double-layer liquid
crystal apparatus may be effectively reduced. Moreover, the use of
external ICs is reduced, thereby lowering the fabrication cost and
simplifying the structure.

[0030] In order to make the aforementioned and other features and
advantages of the invention more comprehensible, embodiments accompanying
figures are described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a
part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the
invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a portion of a double-layer
liquid crystal lens apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.

[0033] FIG. 2A is a schematic view illustrating a portion of a first
active device and a first electrode disposed on a first substrate, or a
portion of a second active device and a second electrode disposed on a
second substrate depicted in FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a portion
of a first electrode device or a second electrode device.

[0035] FIG. 2C is a schematic view illustrating a portion of the first
active device on the first electrode device, or a portion of the second
active device on the second electrode device.

[0036] FIG. 2D is a schematic view illustrating a portion of a common
electrode disposed on a third substrate.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a portion
of a double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 4A is a schematic view illustrating a portion of a first
active device, a first electrode, and a first ring-shaped electrode
disposed on a first substrate, or a portion of a second active device, a
second electrode, and a second ring-shaped electrode disposed on a second
substrate depicted in FIG. 3.

[0039] FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a portion
of a first electrode device or a second electrode device depicted in FIG.
3.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a portion of a double-layer
liquid crystal lens apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. FIG. 2A is a schematic view illustrating a portion of a first
active device and a first electrode disposed on a first substrate, or a
portion of a second active device and a second electrode disposed on a
second substrate depicted in FIG. 1. FIG. 2B is a schematic
cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a first electrode device
or a second electrode device. FIG. 2C is a schematic view illustrating a
portion of the first active device on the first electrode device, or a
portion of the second active device on the second electrode device. FIG.
2D is a schematic view illustrating a portion of a common electrode
disposed on a third substrate. Referring concurrently to FIGS. 1 and
2A-D, a double-layer liquid crystal lens 1000 according to the present
embodiment includes a first electrode device 1100, a second electrode
device 1200, a third electrode device 1300, and two liquid crystal layers
1420 and 1440.

[0041] The first electrode device 1100 includes a first substrate 1120, at
least a first active device 1140, a first electrode 1160, and a first
alignment layer 1180. The first active device 1140, the first electrode
1160, and the first alignment layer 1180 are disposed on the first
substrate 1120. The first active device 1140 is electrically connected to
the first electrode 1160, and the first electrode 1160 has a first
opening 1162. In the present embodiment of the invention, the first
substrate 1120 has a first surface 1122 and a second surface 1124. As
shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, the first active device 1140 and the first
electrode 1160 are disposed on the first surface 1122 of the first
substrate 1120, and the first alignment layer 1180 is disposed on the
second surface 1124 of the first substrate 1120. In the present
embodiment, the first opening 1162 is exemplarily circular to facilitate
description, although embodiments of the invention are not limited
thereto. In other embodiments of the invention, the first opening 1162
may be suitably adjusted according to an optical effect a user demands.
Moreover, the first electrode 1160 may be transparent or opaque. The
first electrode 1160 according to the present embodiment is exemplarily
transparent to facilitate description, although not limited thereto.

[0042] More specifically, the first active device 1140 includes a gate
1142, an active layer 1144, a source 1146, and a drain 1148. The drain
1148 is electrically connected to the first electrode 1160. Moreover,
when the gate 1142 is driven, the source 1146 and the drain 1148 are
electrically connected to each other through the active layer 1144, so
that a voltage signal from the source 1146 may be transmitted to the
first electrode 1160 by passing through the active layer 1144 and the
drain 1148 in sequence. In other words, the first active device 1140 is
mainly used as a switch for the first electrode 1160, in which the first
active device 1140 is a thin film transistor (TFT), for example.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the first electrode 1160 may also be
electrically connected to a storage capacitor 1143, so that the storage
capacitor 1143 may be charged and discharged. In the present embodiment,
an electrode 1143a of the storage capacitor 1143 and the gate 1142 are
disposed on a same layer, whereas another electrode 1143b of the storage
capacitor 1143 and the source 1146 or the drain 1148 are disposed on a
same layer.

[0044] Continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D, the second electrode
device 1200 includes a second substrate 1220, at least a second active
device 1240, a second electrode 1260, and a second alignment layer 1280.
The second active device 1240, the second electrode 1260, and the second
alignment layer 1280 are disposed on the second substrate 1220. The
second active device 1240 is electrically connected to the second
electrode 1260, and the second electrode 1260 has a second opening 1262
corresponding to the first opening 1162. In the present embodiment of the
invention, the second substrate 1220 has a first surface 1222 and a
second surface 1224. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, the second active
device 1240 and the second electrode 1260 are disposed on the first
surface 1222 of the second substrate 1220, and the second alignment layer
1280 is disposed on the second surface 1224 of the second substrate 1220.
In the present embodiment, the second opening 1262 is exemplarily
circular to facilitate description, although embodiments of the invention
are not limited thereto. In other embodiments of the invention, the
second opening 1262 may be suitably adjusted according to the optical
effect a user demands.

[0045] Likewise, the second active device 1240 includes a gate 1242, an
active layer 1244, a source 1246, and a drain 1248. The drain 1248 is
electrically connected to the second electrode 1260. Moreover, when the
gate 1246 is driven, the source 1246 and the drain 1248 are electrically
connected to each other through the active layer 1244, so that a voltage
signal from the source 1246 may be transmitted to the second electrode
1260 by passing through the active layer 1244 and the drain 1148 in
sequence. In other words, the second active device 1240 is mainly used as
a switch for the second electrode 1260, in which the second active device
1240 is a TFT.

[0046] Moreover, the second electrode 1260 may also be electrically
connected to a storage capacitor 1243, so that the storage capacitor 1243
may be charged and discharged. In the present embodiment, an electrode
1243a of the storage capacitor 1243 and the gate 1242 are disposed on a
same layer, whereas another electrode 1243b of the storage capacitor 1243
and the source 1246 or the drain 1248 are disposed on a same layer.

[0047] Continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D, the third electrode
device 1300 is disposed between the first electrode device 1100 and the
second electrode device 1200. The third electrode device 1300 includes a
third substrate 1320, a common electrode 1340, a third alignment layer
1360, and a fourth alignment layer 1380. The common electrode 1340, the
third alignment layer 1360, and the fourth alignment layer 1380 are
disposed on the third substrate 1320. The third alignment layer 1360 and
the fourth alignment layer 1380 are respectively disposed on different
sides of the third substrate 1320, whereas the common electrode 1340 is
disposed between the third alignment layer 1360 and the third substrate
1320. In the present embodiment of the invention, the first substrate
1320 has a first surface 1322 and a second surface 1324. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2C, the third alignment layer 1360 is disposed on the first
surface 1322 of the third substrate 1320, and the fourth alignment layer
1380 is disposed on the second surface 1324 of the third substrate 1320.
In the present embodiment, the electrodes 1143a and 1243a of the storage
capacitors 1143 and 1243 may share an electric potential of the common
electrode 1340. In other words, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2C, and 2D, by
using the electric potential of the common electrode 1340 as a ground
potential (GND), the voltage sources 1520 and 1540 may be respectively
externally coupled to electrically connect to the first active device
1140 and the second active device 1240.

[0048] In the present embodiment, an alignment direction of the first
alignment layer 1180 is parallel and opposite to an alignment direction
of the third alignment layer 1360. An alignment direction of the second
alignment layer 1280 is parallel and opposite to an alignment direction
of the fourth alignment layer 1380, and the alignment direction of the
first alignment layer 1180 is perpendicular to the alignment direction of
the second alignment layer 1280.

[0049] Continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D, the liquid crystal
layers 1420 and 1440 are respectively disposed between the first
electrode device 1100 and the third electrode device 1300, and between
the second electrode device 1200 and the third electrode device 1300.
Moreover, since the liquid crystal layer 1420 is sandwiched between the
first alignment layer 1180 and the third alignment layer 1360, and the
alignment direction of the first alignment layer 1180 is parallel and
opposite to the alignment direction of the third alignment layer 1360,
therefore the first alignment layer 1180 and the third alignment layer
1360 may align the liquid crystal layer 1420. Additionally, since the
liquid crystal layer 1440 is sandwiched between the second alignment
layer 1280 and the fourth alignment layer 1380, and the alignment
direction of the second alignment layer 1280 is parallel and opposite to
the alignment direction of the fourth alignment layer 1380, therefore the
second alignment layer 1280 and the fourth alignment layer 1380 may align
the liquid crystal layer 1440.

[0050] According to the afore-described structure, by using the first
active device 1140 on the first electrode device 1100, the liquid crystal
layer 1420 sandwiched between the first electrode device 1100 and the
third electrode device 1300 may control a voltage difference between the
first electrode 1160 and the common electrode 1340, so that the liquid
crystal layer 1420 generates a refractive index variation. Since the
first electrode 1160 has the first opening 1162, an overall refractive
index distribution of the liquid crystal layer 1420 disposed inside the
first opening 1162 is varied. In other words, an electric field
distribution formed between the first electrode device 1100 and the third
electrode device 1300 progressively decreases, from an edge towards a
center of the first opening 1162. Accordingly, the liquid crystal layer
1420 disposed inside the opening 1162 may form a refractive index
distribution of a gradient-index lens (GRIN Lens), thereby achieving a
focal length modulating function for focusing light similar to a convex
lens. Moreover, this focusing effect may be controlled by a voltage
magnitude of a driving signal of the first active device 1140.

[0051] Likewise, by using the second active device 1240 on the second
electrode device 1200, the liquid crystal layer 1440 sandwiched between
the second electrode device 1200 and the third electrode device 1300 may
control a voltage difference between the second electrode 1260 and the
common electrode 1340, so that the liquid crystal layer 1440 generates a
refractive index variation. Since the second electrode 1260 has the
second opening 1262 corresponding to the first opening 1162, an overall
refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal layer 1440 disposed
inside the second opening 1262 is varied. In other words, an electric
field distribution formed between the second electrode device 1200 and
the third electrode device 1300 progressively decreases, from an edge
towards a center of the second opening 1262. Accordingly, the liquid
crystal layer 1440 disposed inside the opening 1262 may form a refractive
index distribution of a GRIN Lens, thereby achieving a focal length
modulating function for focusing light similar to a convex lens.
Moreover, this focusing effect may be controlled by a voltage magnitude
of a driving signal of the second active device 1240.

[0052] In light of the foregoing, it should be noted that, liquid crystal
molecules constitute a birefringent material in view of two different
polarization directions of an incident beam with a predetermined incident
direction. A refractive index thereof is represented as an extraordinary
ray (E-ray) refractive index (ne) and an ordinary ray (O-ray)
refractive index (no). Therefore, when a typical liquid crystal lens
is configured without a polarizer, the incident beam generates double
focus points after passing through the liquid crystal lens. On the other
hand, when a polarizer is included, a light intensity of the incident
beam is weakened. Hence, by adopting the aforementioned structure, the
double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus 1000 according to the present
embodiment may mitigate the issue of focus points while achieving a
preferable optical focal length modulating quality.

[0053] In more specifics, when the incident beam passes through the liquid
crystal layer 1420, the afore-described issue of double focus points
occurs when a polarizer is not configured to polarize the incident beam.
Accordingly, by configuring another liquid crystal lens structure (e.g.,
the liquid crystal lens structure formed by the aforementioned second and
third electrode devices and the liquid crystal layer 1440), in which the
alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer 1440 is dissimilar to the
alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer 1420, the double-layer
liquid crystal lens apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment
may compensate for the aforesaid double focus points issue through
suitable voltage control. Thereby, the double-layer liquid crystal lens
apparatus 1000 has a preferable optical focal length modulating quality.

[0054] Moreover, since the double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus 1000
according to the present embodiment employs the active devices 1140 and
1240 to respectively control the electric potentials of the first
electrode 1160 and the second electrode 1260, therefore, besides suitably
shrinking an overall size of the double-layer liquid crystal lens
apparatus 1000, a preferable electric characteristic is obtained, and
further, due to a reduction of external ICs used, a cost-saving effect is
achieved as well.

[0055] In view of the above description, according to an embodiment of the
invention, the electric potentials of the first electrode 1160 and the
second electrode 1260 are the same, whereas the electric potentials of
the first electrode 1160 and the second electrode 1260 are different than
the electric potential of the common electrode 1340. In an embodiment,
the electric potentials of the first electrode 1160 and the second
electrode 1260 are different, and the electric potentials of the first
electrode 1160 and the second electrode 1260 are dissimilar to the
electric potential of the common electrode 1340.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the double-layer liquid crystal lens
apparatus 1000 further includes a plurality of sealants 1620 and 1640, as
shown in FIG. 1. The sealants 1620 and 1640 are respectively disposed
between the first electrode device 1100 and the third electrode device
1300, and between the second electrode device 1200 and the third
electrode device 1300, so as to respectively maintain a first containing
space L1 between the first electrode device 1100 and the third electrode
device 1300, and maintain a second containing space L2 between the second
electrode device 1200 and the third electrode device 1300. Moreover, the
liquid crystal layers 1420 and 1440 are respectively disposed inside the
first containing space L1 and the second containing space L2.

[0057] Typically speaking, an adhesive agent is disposed on the first
electrode device 1100, the second electrode device 1200, or the third
electrode device 1300. Furthermore, the first electrode device 1100, the
second electrode device 1200, and the third electrode device 1300 are
aligned and attached. When the adhesive agent is cured thereafter, the
aforesaid sealants 1620 and 1640 are formed. In the present embodiment,
the sealants 1620 and 1640 adopt, for example, a plastic framing
technique of a liquid crystal display panel, or other suitable plastic
framing techniques and materials, and embodiments of the invention are
not limited thereto as the foregoing description is merely exemplary. In
an embodiment of the invention, the sealants 1620 and 1640 may also be
spacers.

[0058] It is worth mentioning that, as shown in FIG. 1, the present
embodiment exemplarily disposes the first electrode 1160 and the first
alignment layer 1180 on different sides of the first substrate 1120 to
facilitate description. However, according to an embodiment not drawn
herein, the first electrode 1160 and the first alignment layer 1180 may
also be disposed on a same side of the first substrate 1120, that is,
disposed on the second surface 1124 of the first substrate 1120.
Moreover, the first electrode 1160 is disposed between the first
alignment layer 1180 and the first substrate 1120. Accordingly, since a
distance between the first electrode 1160 and the common electrode 1340
is reduced, correspondingly a voltage applied to the first electrode 1160
may be suitably lowered, thereby partially conserving electricity.
Likewise, the second electrode 1260 and the second alignment layer 1280
may be disposed on a same side of the second substrate 1220.

[0059] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a portion
of a double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4A is a schematic view
illustrating a portion of a first active device, a first electrode, and a
first ring-shaped electrode disposed on a first substrate, or a portion
of a second active device, a second electrode, and a second ring-shaped
electrode disposed on a second substrate depicted in FIG. 3. FIG. 4B is a
schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a first
electrode device or a second electrode device depicted in FIG. 3.
Referring concurrently to FIGS. 1, 2A-2D, 3, and 4A-4B, a double-layer
liquid crystal lens apparatus 2000 is similar to the afore-described
double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus 1000, in which like components
are labeled with the same reference numbers. A difference therebetween is
that the double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus 2000 has a plurality
of the first active devices 1140, a plurality of the second active
devices 1240, at least a first ring-shaped electrode 2100, and at least a
second ring-shaped electrode 2200. A quantity of the first ring-shaped
electrodes and the second ring-shaped electrodes according to the present
embodiment is exemplarily set as four to facilitate description, although
not limited thererto.

[0060] The first ring-shaped electrodes 2100 are disposed inside the first
opening 1162 and configured on the first surface 1122 of the first
substrate 1120. One of the first active devices 1140 is electrically
connected to the first electrode 1160, while the rest of the first active
devices 1140 are respectively electrically connected to the four first
ring-shaped electrodes 2100. In the present embodiment, the drains 1148
of the first active devices 1140 are respectively electrically connected
to the first electrode 1160 and the first ring-shaped electrodes 2100.
Moreover, when the gate 1142 is driven, the source 1146 and the drain
1148 are electrically connected to each other through the active layer
1144. In other words, through the respective electrically connected first
active devices 1140, the first electrode 1160 and the first ring-shaped
electrodes 2100 may be driven or applied voltages.

[0061] Likewise, as shown in FIG. 4A, the second ring-shaped electrodes
2200 are disposed inside the second opening 1262 and configured on the
first surface 1222 of the second substrate 1220. One of the second active
devices 1240 is electrically connected to the second electrode 1260,
while the rest of the second active devices 1240 are respectively
electrically connected to the four second ring-shaped electrodes 2200. In
the present embodiment, the drains 1248 of the second active devices 1240
are respectively electrically connected to the second electrode 1260 and
the second ring-shaped electrodes 2200. Moreover, when the gate 1242 is
driven, the source 1246 and the drain 1248 are electrically connected to
each other through the active layer 1244. Accordingly, through the
respective electrically connected second active devices 1240, the second
electrode 1260 and the second ring-shaped electrodes 2200 may be driven
or applied voltages.

[0062] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first
ring-shaped electrodes 2100 disposed inside the first opening 1162 are
arranged as concentric circles, and the second ring-shaped electrodes
2200 disposed inside the second opening 1262 are arranged as concentric
circles. Additionally, as each of the ring-shaped electrodes 2100 or 2200
adopts a TFT voltage control mechanism in conjunction with the structure
of the common electrode 1340 on the third electrode device 1300, a
structure resembling a parallel plate capacitor may be formed. Therefore,
by applying different voltages on each of the ring-shaped electrodes 2100
or 2200, the light focusing property of the double-layer liquid crystal
lens apparatus 2000 may be modulated.

[0063] For example, for a typical positive uniaxial liquid crystal
(ne>no), when a lower potential is applied to the
ring-shaped electrodes near an inner ring, and a higher potential is
applied to the ring-shaped electrodes near an outer ring, then a phase
delay quantity of the liquid crystal layers 1420 and 1440 near the inner
ring would be higher than a phase delay quantity of the liquid crystal
layers 1420 and 1440 near the outer ring. Therefore, the entire liquid
crystal lens achieves an optical effect of a positive lens. Conversely,
when a higher potential is applied to the ring-shaped electrodes near the
inner ring, and a lower potential is applied to the ring-shaped
electrodes near the outer ring, then the phase delay quantity of the
liquid crystal layers 1420 and 1440 near the inner ring would be lower
than the phase delay quantity of the liquid crystal layers 1420 and 1440
near the outer ring. Therefore, the entire liquid crystal lens achieves
an optical effect of a negative lens. In other words, by the
afore-described design of voltage application, the double-layer liquid
crystal lens apparatus 2000 may operate with different focusing modes
such as a none-focusing characteristic (e.g., equal voltages at outer
ring and inner ring), a positive lens focusing characteristic (e.g.,
outer ring voltage higher than inner ring voltage), and a negative lens
focusing characteristic (e.g., outer ring voltage lower than inner ring
voltage). Thereby, the double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus 2000
achieves one of its main capabilities.

[0064] In light of the foregoing description, according to a driving power
source quantity and a user design and demand adopted by the double-layer
liquid crystal lens apparatuses 1000 or 2000, at least a portion of the
electric potentials of the first electrode 1160 and the first ring-shaped
electrodes 2100 is the same. Alternatively, the electric potentials of
the first electrode 1160 and the first ring-shaped electrodes 2100 are
different. Likewise, at least a portion of the electric potentials of the
second electrode 1260 and the second ring-shaped electrodes 2200 is the
same. Alternatively, the electric potentials of the second electrode 1260
and the second ring-shaped electrodes 2200 are different.

[0065] The double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatuses 2000 and 1000
differ only in that the double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus 2000
respectively disposes at least a first ring-shaped electrode and at least
a second ring-shaped electrode inside the first opening 1162 and the
second opening 1262. Therefore, besides having the aforementioned
advantages, the double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus 2000 also has
the advantages of the double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus 1000,
and further description thereof is omitted hereafter.

[0066] It should be noted that, the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3
operate by respectively using different driving power sources for the
first electrode device 1100, the second electrode device 1200, and the
third electrode device 1300. However, in other embodiments of the
invention, a same driving power source may be shared. Moreover, the
aforementioned first substrate 1120, second substrate 1220, and the third
substrate 1320 are transparent substrates, for example.

[0067] In light of the foregoing, the double-layer liquid crystal lens
apparatus according to embodiments of the invention at least includes the
following advantages. First, through the double-layer liquid crystal lens
structure formed by the first electrode device, the second electrode
device, and the third electrode device, and by suitably controlling the
voltages applied on the liquid crystal lens, the refractive index
distribution of the GRIN lens can be generated. Moreover, the light
passing through is compensated so that the double-layer liquid crystal
lens apparatus has a preferable focus modulating capability, and the
double focus points condition does not occur easily. Accordingly, the
double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus may have a focal length
modulating function focusing/diverging the light, similar to a convex
lens or a concave lens. Furthermore, since the double-layer liquid
crystal lens apparatus controls the refractive index of the double-layer
liquid crystal lens by using active devices (e.g., TFTs), thus in
addition to effectively reducing the overall size of the double-layer
liquid crystal lens apparatus, the use of external ICs is reduced,
thereby lowering the fabrication cost and simplifying the structure.
Moreover, because the double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus has a
plurality of ring-shaped electrodes disposed inside openings, hence, by
gradually adjusting the voltages applied to each of the ring-shaped
electrodes, the double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus may achieve a
preferable optical performance.

[0068] Although the invention has been described with reference to the
above embodiments, it is apparent to one of the ordinary skill in the art
that modifications to the described embodiments may be made without
departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the
invention will be defined by the attached claims not by the above
detailed descriptions.